Yichen Si, Joo Sang Lee, Goo Jun, Hyun Min Kang, Jun Hee Lee
{"title":"Spatial omics enters the microscopic realm: opportunities and challenges.","authors":"Yichen Si, Joo Sang Lee, Goo Jun, Hyun Min Kang, Jun Hee Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.05.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Spatial transcriptomics (ST) enables systematic profiling of whole-transcriptome gene expression in tissues while preserving spatial context. Recent advances in sequencing- and imaging-based ST technologies have ushered in the era of microscopic-resolution ST (μST), allowing transcriptome mapping at cellular and even subcellular scales with unprecedented precision. Despite these advances, μST faces substantial challenges, including sparse transcript discovery per submicron (or micron)-sized spatial units and data fragmentation across platforms, hindering integration and analysis. There is also a growing demand for scalable, segmentation-free, and universally applicable analysis methods, as well as strategies for 3D mapping, multi-omics integration, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven spatial analysis. In this review, we highlight recent breakthroughs, outline key challenges, and discuss emerging experimental and computational solutions shaping the future of μST.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Reinholdt, Elissa Chesler, Martin Pera, Nadia Rosenthal
{"title":"The rare-to-common disease journey: a winding road to new therapies.","authors":"Laura Reinholdt, Elissa Chesler, Martin Pera, Nadia Rosenthal","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.05.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2025.05.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study of genetic variants that cause rare diseases has been a central strategy of genetic research for the last century, but the contribution of rare variants to the multifactorial inheritance of common diseases has only recently emerged as an avenue to accelerate functional mapping of the human genome. This perspective defines rare and common diseases, surveys prospects for integrating their study to decipher pathogenic mechanisms, and cites current clinical hurdles of disease translation. We discuss the premise that research into rare disease etiology can inform our understanding of common illnesses and vice versa, identify impediments to progress in translating rare disease findings into common disease treatments, and offer suggestions for realizing the benefits of global health research in the discovery of rare disease variants.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in GeneticsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-06-10DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2025.04.002
Benedikt Hartl, Michael Levin
{"title":"What does evolution make? Learning in living lineages and machines.","authors":"Benedikt Hartl, Michael Levin","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.04.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>How does genomic information unfold, to give rise to self-constructing living organisms with problem-solving capacities at all levels of organization? We review recent progress that unifies work in developmental genetics and machine learning (ML) to understand mapping of genes to traits. We emphasize the deep symmetries between evolution and learning, which cast the genome as instantiating a generative model. The layer of physiological computations between genotype and phenotype provides a powerful degree of plasticity and robustness, not merely complexity and indirect mapping, which strongly impacts individual and evolutionary-scale dynamics. Ideas from ML and neuroscience now provide a versatile, quantitative formalism for understanding what evolution learns and how developmental and regenerative morphogenesis interpret the deep lessons of the past to solve new problems. This emerging understanding of the informational architecture of living material is poised to impact not only genetics and evolutionary developmental biology but also regenerative medicine and synthetic morphoengineering.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"480-496"},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144276720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in GeneticsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2024.12.009
Ranjan K Maji, Matthias S Leisegang, Reinier A Boon, Marcel H Schulz
{"title":"Revealing microRNA regulation in single cells.","authors":"Ranjan K Maji, Matthias S Leisegang, Reinier A Boon, Marcel H Schulz","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2024.12.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tig.2024.12.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and control cellular functions in physiological and pathophysiological states. miRNAs play important roles in disease, stress, and development, and are now being investigated for therapeutic approaches. Alternative processing of miRNAs during biogenesis results in the generation of miRNA isoforms (isomiRs) which further diversify miRNA gene regulation. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scsRNA-seq) technologies, together with computational strategies, enable exploration of miRNAs, isomiRs, and interacting RNAs at the cellular level. By integration with other miRNA-associated single-cell modalities, miRNA roles can be resolved at different stages of processing and regulation. In this review we discuss (i) single-cell experimental assays that measure miRNA and isomiR abundances, and (ii) computational methods for their analysis to investigate the mechanisms of miRNA biogenesis and post-transcriptional regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"522-536"},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143043201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in GeneticsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-04-17DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.004
Mathieu Rouard, Amber Hartman Scholz, Michael Halewood
{"title":"Genetic databases in the era of 'DSI' benefit-sharing.","authors":"Mathieu Rouard, Amber Hartman Scholz, Michael Halewood","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genetic databases drive research by enabling open access. Recently, parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed on new rules for sharing benefits from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) which upholds open access, and also imposed new requirements for data depositors, database managers, and users.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"451-455"},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144034558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in GeneticsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-04-05DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.005
Jose Manuel Ruiz-Jiménez, Gabriel Santpere
{"title":"The impact of human accelerated regions on neuronal development.","authors":"Jose Manuel Ruiz-Jiménez, Gabriel Santpere","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human accelerated regions (HARs) are the fastest-evolving sequences in the human genome since the divergence from chimpanzees. Some of these regions are suspected to have contributed to the evolution of unique human brain features. Recently, Cui et al. conducted a large-scale study identifying which HARs may have influenced neuronal function.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"459-461"},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143796362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in GeneticsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-02-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.006
Sebastian Ocklenburg, Annakarina Mundorf, Jutta Peterburs, Silvia Paracchini
{"title":"Genetics of human handedness: microtubules and beyond.","authors":"Sebastian Ocklenburg, Annakarina Mundorf, Jutta Peterburs, Silvia Paracchini","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Handedness (i.e., the preference to use either the left or the right hand for fine motor tasks) is a widely investigated trait. Handedness heritability is consistently estimated to be 25%. After decades of research, recent large-scale genome-wide association and exome sequencing studies have identified multiple genes associated with handedness and highlighted tubulin genes. Tubulin genes play a role in several processes during brain development that may be relevant for handedness ontogenesis, including axon guidance, axon growth, and forming the inner structure of motile cilia. Moreover, tubulin genes are associated with several psychiatric disorders. This finding therefore may offer insights into biological pathways mediating the link between handedness, brain asymmetries, and psychiatric traits.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"497-505"},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143082328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in GeneticsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.008
Kevin J Mitchell, Nick Cheney
{"title":"The Genomic Code: the genome instantiates a generative model of the organism.","authors":"Kevin J Mitchell, Nick Cheney","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>How does the genome encode the form of the organism? What is the nature of this genomic code? Inspired by recent work in machine learning and neuroscience, we propose that the genome encodes a generative model of the organism. In this scheme, by analogy with variational autoencoders (VAEs), the genome comprises a connectionist network, embodying a compressed space of 'latent variables', with weights that get encoded by the learning algorithm of evolution and decoded through the processes of development. The generative model analogy accounts for the complex, distributed genetic architecture of most traits and the emergent robustness and evolvability of developmental processes, while also offering a conception that lends itself to formalization.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"462-479"},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143400890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in GeneticsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.004
Samantha Standring, Jacqueline Heckenhauer, Russell J Stewart, Paul B Frandsen
{"title":"Unraveling the genetics of underwater caddisfly silk.","authors":"Samantha Standring, Jacqueline Heckenhauer, Russell J Stewart, Paul B Frandsen","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.01.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hundreds of thousands of arthropod species use silk to capture prey, build protective structures, or anchor eggs. While most silk-producers are terrestrial, caddisflies construct silken capture nets and portable cases in aquatic environments. Given the potential practical applications of this underwater bioadhesive, there is an emerging body of research focused on understanding the evolution of the genetic architecture of aquatic silk. This research has unveiled molecular adaptations specific to caddisfly silk, such as extensive phosphorylation of the primary silk protein and the existence of numerous unique accessory silk proteins. We discuss the molecular evolution of caddisfly silk genes, how they interact with the environment, and suggest future directions for caddisfly silk genetics research.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"537-546"},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143076338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in GeneticsPub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-04-02DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.002
Claudia Arnedo-Pac, Sarah J Aitken
{"title":"DNA lesions piece together impossible trees.","authors":"Claudia Arnedo-Pac, Sarah J Aitken","doi":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tig.2025.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>DNA lesions can persist through multiple cell cycles, resulting in mutational strand asymmetry, multiallelic variation, and somatic mosaicism. But for how long do these lesions persist? Recent work from Spencer Chapman et al. shows that they can last for months to years, even arising from endogenous exposures in utero.</p>","PeriodicalId":54413,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Genetics","volume":" ","pages":"456-458"},"PeriodicalIF":13.6,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}